WEMSIS Rules Development

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Public Notification

The Department of Health's (department) Office of Community Health Systems officially filed a CR-101 with the Office of the Code Reviser on August 6, 2020, to open WAC 246-976 Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Care Systems. The WSR number is 20-17-011.

• Public Notification and Meeting Announcement (PDF)
• CR-101 WSR 20-17-011 for chapter 246-976 WAC (PDF)
• Chapter 246-976 WAC

The Department of Health's Office of Community Health Systems officially filed a CR-102 with the Office of the Code Reviser on March 5, 2024, to open WAC 246-976 Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Care Systems. The WSR number is 24-06-084 (PDF).

• Public Notification and Meeting Announcement (PDF)
• Proposed Draft Rules (PDF)

 See Public Comment section below for information on how to submit a comment. 

EMS Data System Rulemaking Updated August 22, 2024

The Department of Health's Office of Community Health Systems officially filed a CR-103P on July 23, 2024, for WAC 246-976 Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Care. The WSR number is 24-15-130.

• CR103P WSR 24-15-130 (PDF)
• Concise Explanatory Statement Post Adoption Notice (PDF)

EMS Data Rules Webinar – September 5, 2024

The Department of Health's Office of Community Health Systems, Emergency Care System Section officially filed a CR-103P with the Office of the Code Reviser on August 22, 2024, for WAC 246-976-455 Emergency Medical Services Data System. The rules will be effective on September 30, 2024.

Summary of new rules related to WEMSIS.

Links to rule documents and WAC:

• WSR number is 24-15-130 (PDF) 
• WAC 246-976-445 and WAC 246-976-455 

Webinars

The department’s WEMSIS program will be hosting two webinars (same content) to provide an overview of the rules: WAC 246-976-445 and 455- New EMS Data System rules on reporting and other mandated tasks.

September 19, 2024, at 3 p.m. – Online Microsoft Teams Link: Join the meeting

October 3, 2024, at 3 p.m. – Online Microsoft Teams Link: Join the meeting

If you are unable to attend, the team can meet with your local service to address any questions, email us at WEMSIS@doh.wa.gov.

EMS Data Reporting Policy Statement – September 09, 2024

The Department of Health has issued a policy statement postponing enforcement of data reporting requirements using the Washington Emergency Medical Services Information System (WEMSIS) for licensed ambulance and aid services (RCW 70.168.090, WAC 246-976-455). This policy is effective from September 30, 2024, to December 31, 2024. The scope of this policy is limited to the electronic data reporting requirements for EMS providers set forth in RCW 70.168.090 and WAC 246-976-455(3).

See the complete policy for full details and parameters.

This policy statement will expire on January 1, 2025.

• Policy WEMSIS24-01 EMS Data Reporting (PDF)

EMS Rules Resources – October 2, 2024

The Department of Health, in response to feedback and questions from EMS stakeholders, has developed two tools to clarify WEMSIS Rules WAC 246-976-455.

• WEMSIS Reporting Guidance – Flowcharts (PDF). A guide to reporting requirements for a variety of activation scenarios.
• WEMSIS Frequently Asked Questions. Answers to common questions on rules. 

EMS Rules Resources – December 17, 2024

The Washington EMS Information System (WEMSIS) is releasing guidance for EMS data reporting requirements related to Cancelled Prehospital Activations and Race. 

This guidance is intended to provide context to reporting requirements described in WAC 256-976-455.

• Temporary WEMSIS Guideline for Reporting of Canceled EMS Activation (PDF)
• WEMSIS Guideline for Reporting Race (PDF)

EMS EMS Demographic Information Reporting – March 7, 2025

Annual agency demographic information for 2024 is due by April 1st, 2025. The new EMS Data System rules expand the types of calls/responses/activations that are to be reported. To aid in reporting this information, the WEMSIS program is providing an online form to report the information and guidance document with definitions of each required category.

• WEMSIS Demographics/EMS Resources Form
• WEMSIS Guidance on Demographic Information Reporting (PDF)

EMS Outcome Data Attestation Form – March 7, 2025

The Department of Health (DOH) requires reporting of outcome data if known (RCW 246-976-455, 6). Please complete the form below to attest the status of outcome data for your EMS Service.

• EMS Outcome Data Attestation Form

Rule-making Process

CR-101 rule inquiry stage – drafting of proposed rules

The Department of Health is currently in the CR-101 phase of rulemaking for EMS data rules in chapter 246-976 WAC. This first phase of rulemaking is the inquiry phase. This phase allows interested parties to participate in the rule development process from the beginning.

CR-102 rule proposal phase – preparing the proposed rules

After a number of workshops, the Department of Health will carefully review and consider all advisory opinions gathered during the rule drafting and comment phases. From this, the department will create proposed rules that will be filed in a CR-102 rules package with the Office of the Code Reviser. This filing will be distributed on our website.

CR-103 – adoption phase of rules

Depending on the outcome of a public hearing that will be scheduled during the CR-102 phase, the department will file a final revised rule with the Office of the Code Reviser as part of the rule adoption phase (CR-103). When the rule becomes effective 31 days from its filing date, the department will notify all stakeholders and interested parties of the official effective date of the revised rules.

Rules adopted

See the Washington State Department of Health rules website for more information on adopted rules within Title 246 WAC.